Lakers star LeBron James will miss Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans as he manages a right foot injury, the team announced.
The Lakers (14-4) host the Phoenix Suns on Monday, which will be the team’s third game in four days after a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
In just his fourth game of the season, James played 34 minutes in the 129-119 win, scoring 13 points with seven assists. He missed the beginning of the season for the first time in his 23-year NBA career because of sciatica that sidelined him for 14 games.
Despite James’ limited playing time, the Lakers still have thrived behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic leads the NBA in scoring with 35.1 points per game. The dynamic duo combined for 73 points in Friday’s win, led by 38 points on 12-for-15 shooting from Reaves. The Lakers’ fifth-year guard scored 31 points in the team’s first matchup against the Pelicans, a 118-104 win Nov. 14 in New Orleans.
The Pelicans (3-17) have the worst record in the Western Conference. The Lakers need James for the tougher matchup against the Suns (12-9) on Monday before playing in Toronto on Thursday, the opener of a three-game East Coast trip.
The Lakers also will be without guard Marcus Smart (back spasms) for the second consecutive game.
